Artificial teeth



May 22, 1956 T. A. DEL PAPA ARTIFICIAL TEETH Filed Feb. 28, 1955 Tore/l0 A. 08/ -Papa INVEN TOR.

BY wi w; 15%

United States Patent ARTIFICIAL TEETH Torello A. Del Papa, Galveston, Tex.

Application February 28, 1955, Serial No. 491,077

8 Claims. (CI. 32-10) This invention relates generally to denture construction, and more particularly to improved artificial teeth adapted to establish normal basic physiological movements simulating natural and normal chewing under pressure during the process of mastication of food.

It is the primary object in dental prosthesis to not only restore the material appearance, but also to restore the normal functions of teeth to a satisfactory standard of performance. The artificial teeth comprising the present invention are so arranged as to permit the lateral motions of teeth as well as the vertical up and down motions imparted by movement of the jaws in the action of teeth upon food.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of artificial teeth adaptable to difierent types of dental prosthesis, including fixed, partial or removable dentures or any combination thereof, as may be desired.

Still further objects and features of .this invention reside in the provision of artificial teeth that are simple in construction, highly efficient in operation in function, and normal in appearance.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by these artificial teeth, preferred embodiments of which have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure l is a vertical sectional detail view of an artificial tooth constructed in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the invention; and

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of artificial tooth.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral is used to generally designate the artificial tooth comprising the present invention which includes a saddle 12 adapted to fit upon and conform to the edentulous ridge of the human mouth. Secured to the saddle 12 is a post 14 which has a threaded upper end 16. Suitably receivable on the post 14 is a plate 18.

A coil spring 20 coaxial with the post 14 has a lower end portion 22 engaging the saddle 12 and has the other end thereof, as indicated at 24, extending through an aperture 26 in the post 14. The spring 20 is also welded, as at 28, to the plate 18.

Threadedly secured on the threaded portion 16 of the post 14 is a spindle 30 which is adapted to be held in place by means of a locking member 32 threadedly secured on the threaded end 16 of the post 14. Positioned about and preferably secured to the spindle 30 is an outer casing 34 formed of acrylic or other efficient and suitable materials of pleasing appearance adapted to give a natural, life-like and aesthetic appearance to the artificial tooth 1t).

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention as is shown in Figure 3, it will be seen that the only addi- "Ice tional item provided is a base block 36 which is welded, as at 38, or otherwise secured to the saddle 12 and has a generally cylindrical portion 40 which extends upwardly into which the spring 20 extends. The cylindrical portion terminates in a shoulder 42 forming a peripheral stop for the plate 18.

The operation of this invention is quite simple. The connection between the plate 18 and the spring 20 as well as the connection between the end 24 of the spring within the bore 26 serves to hold the spring 20 in position, but permits pivotal movement of the spindle 30 which forms a major portion of the upper surface of the tooth 10, thereby simulating natural functional movement of the tooth. Further, the spindle 30 cannot be entirely depressed due to its locked in arrangement. The stop shoulder 42 provides means for assuring against too great a tilting of the tooth 10.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes wil readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An artificial tooth structure comprising a saddle configurated to fit and conform to the edentulous ridge, 2. post secured at one end to said saddle and having a threaded free end portion, a plate having an aperture therethrough, said post extending through the aperture, a spring having one end secured to said post and said plate and having the other end engaging said saddle, a spindle threadedly received over said threaded end of said post, and an outer casing secured to said spindle.

2. An artificial tooth structure comprising a saddle configurated to fit and conform to the edentulous ridge, a post secured at one end to said saddle and having a threaded free end portion, a plate having an aperture therethrough, said post extending through the aperture, a spring having one end secured to said post and said plate and having the other end engaging said saddle, a spindle threadedly received over said threaded end of said post, and an outer casing secured to said spindle, said spindle engaging said plate, and a locking member threadedly engaged on said post holding said spindle in an adjusted position.

3. An artificial tooth structure comprising a saddle configurated to fit and conform to the edentulous ridge, a post secured at one end to said saddle and having a threaded free end portion, a plate having an aperture therethrough, said post extending through the aperture, a spring having one end secured to said post and said plate and having the other end engaging said saddle, a spindle threadedly received over said threaded end of said post, and an outer casing secured to said spindle, said spindle engaging said plate, and a locking member threadedly engaged on said post holding said spindle in an adjusted position, said post having a transverse bore, said end of said spring secured to said post extending through said bore.

4. An artificial tooth structure comprising a saddle configurated to fit and conform to the edentulous ridge, a post secured at one end to said saddle and having a threaded free end portion, a plate having an aperture therethrough, said post extending through the aperture, a spring having one end secured to said post and said plate and having the other end engaging said saddle, a spindle threadedly received over said threaded end of said post, and an outer casing secured to said spindle, said post having a transverse bore, said end of said spring secured to said post extending through said bore.

5. An artificial tooth structure comprising a saddle configurated to fit and conform to the edentulous ridge, a

post secured at one end to said saddle and having a threaded free end portion, a plate having an aperture therethrough, said post extending through the aperture, a spring having one end secured to said post and said plate and having the other end engaging said saddle, a spindle threadedly received over said threaded end of said post, and an outer casing secured to said spindle, said spring being coaxial with said post.

6. artificial tooth structure comprising a saddle configurated to fit and conform to the edentulous ridge, a post secured at one end to said saddle and having a threaded free end portion, a plate having an aperture therethrough, said post extending through the aperture, a spring having one end secured to said post and said plate and having the other end engaging said saddle, a spindle threadedl y received over said threaded end of said post, and an outer casing secured to said spindle, a base block positioned on said saddle and having a portion extending within said casing forming a shoulder spaced from said plate.

7. An artifiical tooth structure comprising a saddle configurated to fit and conform to the cdentulous ridge, a post secured at one end to said saddle and having a threaded: free end portion, a plate having an aperture therethrough, said post extending through the aperture, a spring having one end secured to said post and said plate and having the other end engaging said saddle, a

spindle threadedly received over said threaded end of said post, and. an outer casing. secured to said spindle, said spring being coaxial with said post, a base block positioned on said saddle and having a portion extending within said casing forming a shoulder spaced from said plate, said spindle engaging said plate, and a locking member threadedly engaged on said post holding said spindle in an adjusted position.

8. An artificial tooth structure comprising a saddle configurated to fit and conform tothe edentulous ridge, a post secured at one end to said saddle and having a threaded free end portion, a plate having an aperture therethrough, said post extending through the aperture, a spring having one end secured to said post and said plate and having the other end engaging said saddle, a spindle threadedly received over said threaded end of said post, and an outer casing secured to said spindle, said spring being coaxial with said post, a base block positioned on said saddle. and having a portion extending Within said casing forming a shoulder spaced from said plate, said spindle engaging said plate, and a locking member threadedly engaged on said post holding said spindle in an adjustednposition, said post having a transverse bore, said end of said spring secured to said post extending through said bore.

No, references cited. 

